Clynelish 30 Years Old 1990 Japonism (Sansibar)

A Clynelish of a 30 year old chosen by the German bottler Sansibar, distilled in 1990, bottled at 43.2%, one of 268 bottles. Clynelish, on the Sutherland coast, makes one of the most distinctive textures in Scotch, its famous wax. The distillery was built in 1967 next to the original Clynelish of 1819, which was renamed Brora and later closed.

It was worked through the tall stills for a citrussy, oily spirit, giving the oily, candle wax character Clynelish is prized for. A Port or red wine cask lent berry fruit over the oily malt. Ethereal and old, decades draw the malt to a waxy, tropical delicacy of sotolon, beeswax and polished oak. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the waxy, citrussy core over the years. Its waxy character, a candle wax and beeswax texture, is prized above almost any other by blenders. Water comes from the Clynemilton Burn, the spirit drawn off three wash and three spirit stills.

At a hearty 43.2% it carries real weight. A thick wax over orchard fruit and citrus, with plum and red berry from the cask. The mouthfeel is oily, the citrus carried on a waxy body. The finish is deep, waxy and maritime. This is Clynelish's oily, coastal Highland style.